Are you a scholar or professional interested in global security and politics? The AIA NRW Fellowship 2027/28 in Bonn, Germany, offers a fully funded chance to lead research on these topics. Hosted by the Academy for International Affairs NRW, this program welcomes applicants worldwide to tackle pressing issues like resilience and governance.
About the AIA NRW Fellowship Programme
The Academy for International Affairs NRW runs this fellowship to spark new ideas on world affairs. It brings together researchers, policy experts, academics, and professionals for talks and projects. The focus areas include strategic resilience, democratic stability, security cooperation, technological governance, economic resilience, and emerging technologies.
Fellows work on projects that offer fresh views on international politics. They join events, publish findings, and network with others. This setup helps turn research into real-world policy ideas. For more details, check the official website.
Fellowship Theme for 2027/28
The theme is “Comprehensive Security for a Changing World: Building Strategic and Technological Resilience.” Europe faces big shifts like wars, rivalries between nations, shaky alliances, tech changes, and security risks. These push security topics to the top of talks.
Security here covers more than armies. It includes defense teamwork, strong democracies, economic safety, tech rules, protecting key systems, steady supply chains, and planning ahead for risks. Fellows use mixed fields of study to solve linked problems.
Fellowship Tracks Available
Choose one track that fits your background.
Academic Track
This track suits those with a PhD and strong writing history. Projects must add to school debates, use solid methods, and show fresh thinking. They tackle current world issues with deep analysis.
Practitioner’s Track
This fits workers in government, diplomacy, global groups, nonprofits, defense, think tanks, or advice roles. Projects pull from real job know-how and aim for policy tips. They link to today’s world events.
Research Areas and Topics of Interest
Projects can cover many areas like security teamwork, defense studies, strong democracies, governance rules, tech control, new tech, supply safety, economic strength, future planning, risk checks, diplomacy, world rules, crisis handling, and shifting power balances. Mix fields for best results.
Why This Fellowship Matters
It lets you research in Germany, team up with top minds, join talks, shape policy and school work, grow networks, attend events, and publish. It’s great for those who want to affect security and governance talks. Bonn offers strong schools, Europe links, and lively ideas.
Expectations from Fellows
Fellows live in Bonn from April 2027 to March 2028. They join research meetings, events, writing, public work, and online shares. Stay active, avoid long trips away, and team up with others.
Fellowship Period
The stay runs from April 2027 to March 2028. Plan your project around this time.
Required Application Documents
Submit these: application form, motivation letter, project proposal, short CV. Extra items depend on your track.
Academic Track Additional Documents
Add PhD proof, full publication list, and 2-3 recent English journal copies.
Details of the Project Proposal
Keep it to five pages. Include abstract, key questions, research background, plan and dates, outputs, and why AIA NRW fits best. Show how it aids security and politics talks.
Selection Process
The Academic Board reviews entries. They check proposal strength, theme fit, your skills, mix-field chance, and debate input. Winners hear by mid-September 2026.
Application Deadline
Send by 15 June 2026. Late ones might skip review.
How to Apply
Use the online form. Questions go to Dr. Katja Freistein, Academic Coordinator. See the full call here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the theme for the AIA NRW Fellowship 2027/28?
The theme is ‘Comprehensive Security for a Changing World: Building Strategic and Technological Resilience.’ It covers defense, democracies, economic safety, tech rules, and more.
What fellowship tracks are available?
There are two tracks: the Academic Track for PhD holders with strong publications, and the Practitioner’s Track for professionals in government, diplomacy, or think tanks.
When is the application deadline?
Applications must be submitted by 15 June 2026. Late submissions may not be reviewed.
How do I apply for the fellowship?
Use the online application form on the AIA NRW website. Submit a motivation letter, project proposal, CV, and track-specific documents.

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